Have your car serviced regularly based on the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule. While some maintenance and repair tasks are best left to certified automotive technicians, there are a few basics you can easily check yourself:
Engine Air Filter
Check the air filter every six months or 7,500 miles by holding it up to a 100-watt light bulb. If light can be seen through much of the filter, it's still clean enough to work.
Battery
Check the battery cables to ensure they are securely attached to the terminals. Clean the terminals if there are any signs of corrosion.
Tire Pressure
Check and adjust tire pressures at least once a month when the tires are cold- including the spare. The manufacturer's recommendations can be found in the owner's manual or on a sticker on the driver's doorjamb.
Tire Tread
Check the tread depth by inserting a quarter upside down into a tire groove with Washington's head facing outward. The tread should cover part of Washington's head.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Check the windshield washer fluid reservoir monthly and test the washer spray nozzles for proper operation and aim.
Windshield Wiper Blades
Check the blades at every oil change or whenever they fail to wipe the glass clean in a single swipe. The rubber inserts usually last six to 12 months.
When you’re looking for a body shop, get a reference from someone who’s very particular about their car. People who take obsessive care of their car usually know the best places to have it serviced and repaired, says Curtis Allred, owner of Red’s Livermore Body Shop. Because the industry no longer attracts the kind of ambitious young employees it did a generation ago, Mr. Allred also suggests you consider bringing your car to a shop that’s been in business a long time. He says to favor shops with I-CAR certification and those in compliance with the directives of the Bay Area Air Quality Control.
Choose a company that uses a high-quality epoxy, says Mr. Allred. Many companies don’t, and just like with low-quality house paint, you’re at greater risk of fading and paint breakdown. Remember, paint is one of the biggest expenses in body repair. If one shop is demonstrably cheaper than all the others, it’s quite possible they’re using inferior-grade paint.
Mr. Allred also recommends you avoid shops where technicians are paid a percentage of the work they bill. Often, that creates an enormous incentive to work quickly and sloppily. Choose a body shop that pays its workers by the hour.
Some other tips:
• Look for a shop with friendly, courteous people who know what they're talking about.
• Get an estimate before any work is started.
• Stress that you don’t want paint lines.
• Tour the facility. Be suspicious of a shop that doesn’t want to show you around.
• Ask to see newly finished vehicles. In particular, be on the lookout for drip marks, overspray and little bumps under the clear coat.
• Beware of shops that offer to “take care” of your deductible. They’re not eating the cost; they’re probably just padding the bill elsewhere.
• Check at least three different shops. Don't rely on their outside appearance. Instead, check out past work and references.
